Mark Arbib, the chief of the Australian Olympic Committee, has labelled the Enhanced Games as "dangerous," particularly following an unofficial record-breaking achievement in the men’s 50m freestyle by former Olympian Kristian Gkolomeev, who clocked 20.89 seconds in February. This unexpected feat also earned him a staggering $1.5 million from the event’s founder, Aron D’Souza, while fellow Australian James Magnussen did not secure a win.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Arbib expressed deep concerns over the heightened interest in the Enhanced Games. He emphasized that the primary motivation behind drug bans in sports is to protect the health of athletes. "We care about the welfare of the athletes. We care about the welfare of the community," he stated, cautioning that drug use can lead to severe health issues, including death.
Arbib condemned any event that encourages the use of performance-enhancing drugs or steroids, asserting that such activities contradict the very principles of the Olympic movement, which advocates for fairness and purity in sport. He described the Enhanced Games, set to debut next year in Las Vegas and featuring various Olympic events, as a commercial venture focused on profit rather than athlete welfare.
Despite the enticing offer of a $1 million prize for breaking certain records, controversies arise over the inclusion of appearance fees for athletes, which could potentially incentivise Olympians to participate without using drugs while still profiting from their involvement. Arbib clarified that there hadn’t been discussions about prohibiting Australian athletes from joining the Enhanced Games, though he echoed the sentiments of Olympic gold medallist Cam McEvoy, who asserted that records set under doping should not be recognised.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has similarly condemned the Enhanced Games, labelling the initiative a "dangerous and irresponsible concept." They highlighted the historical instances where athletes have suffered grave health consequences from using banned substances, stressing that it’s crucial for anti-doping organisations and governments worldwide to unite against such events. WADA urged athletes and sporting influencers to denounce the Enhanced Games, which they argue trivialises the risks associated with prohibited drug use and may adversely affect young and emerging athletes.
Overall, the Enhanced Games are seen as a troubling shift in the world of competitive sports, with significant scrutiny from prominent organisations and officials within the athletic community.